To understand what an arrhythmia is, it is necessary to understand how the heart works. Cardiac arrhythmias represent a group of heart rhythm disorders that can occur in people of all ages.
Cardiac arrhythmia
The term cardiac arrhythmia refers to any change in the heart’s normal rhythm. Normally, the heart beats at a steady pace thanks to electrical impulses generated by the sinoatrial node.
This node sends electrical signals that coordinate the contraction of the atria and ventricles, allowing efficient pumping of blood. In a healthy heart, these signals maintain a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
However, due to multiple factors, this process can be disrupted, leading to arrhythmia.
Some factors that can trigger arrhythmias include heart disease, electrolyte imbalances, emotional stress, alcohol or caffeine consumption, and certain medications.
It is important that a cardiologist evaluate any arrhythmia, as some may increase the risk of serious complications such as heart failure, stroke, or even sudden death.
Types of arrhythmias
Based on the type of irregularity in heart rhythm or heart rate, arrhythmias are classified as follows:
- Atrial fibrillation: one of the most common arrhythmias, characterized by a rapid and irregular rhythm in the atria (the upper chambers of the heart). This disrupts coordinated atrial contraction and may cause blood to pool, increasing the risk of clot formation.
- Supraventricular tachycardia: a rapid arrhythmia originating in the atria or the atrioventricular junction. It can cause episodes of very fast heartbeats, up to 200 beats per minute, and is usually benign.
- Ventricular tachycardia: an arrhythmia originating in the ventricles (bottom chambers of the heart). It presents as a rapid but regular rhythm and is potentially life-threatening because it interferes with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
- Ventricular fibrillation: an extremely dangerous arrhythmia in which the ventricles beat rapidly and in an uncoordinated manner; in this situation, the heart is unable to pump blood, leading to circulatory collapse and loss of consciousness within seconds.
- Bradycardia: a slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute at rest). Also known as sinus arrhythmia, it often appears in athletes and may be harmless. However, when unrelated to physical conditioning, it may indicate an underlying issue such as sinus node dysfunction or damage to the heart’s electrical conduction system.
- Extrasystoles: premature or extra heartbeats that interrupt the normal rhythm. This condition is usually benign and not considered a serious health risk and may be associated with caffeine, tobacco, or stress.
Arrhythmia symptoms
Because arrhythmias are related to problems with the heart’s beats and may involve too many or too few beats, the symptoms can vary widely.
Some people may not experience symptoms and only discover the arrhythmia during a routine medical exam. Others may present common symptoms, such as:
- Palpitations: the sensation of fast, strong, or irregular heartbeats; one of the most common and unsettling symptoms.
- Dizziness or fainting: when blood flow is compromised, blood pressure may drop, causing dizziness or even loss of consciousness.
- Fatigue: extreme tiredness, especially if the arrhythmia significantly increases or decreases heart rate.
- Chest pain: a feeling of pressure or pain in the chest, especially if the heart is under stress.
- Shortness of breath: difficulty breathing occurs when the arrhythmia prevents the heart from pumping enough oxygenated blood to the body.
Symptoms may occur intermittently and last from seconds to hours, or they may become chronic.
While some arrhythmias pose no health risk, others can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to seek specialized medical care to identify the type of arrhythmia, determine its cause, and receive appropriate treatment.
At ABC Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
MedlinePlus, NIH, Texas Heart
